Barcelona names Coutinho price amid Chelsea interest

The Catalans have revealed how much it will cost the London club to secure the service of the Brazilian playmaker.

La Liga leaders Barcelona has reportedly quoted 100 million pound as the asking price for Philippe Coutinho with Chelsea said to be interested in signing him. Despite his big money move from Liverpool in January 2018, the 26 years old playmaker has struggled to break into the starting XI of Ernesto Valverde's side.

A dip in form has seen the former Kop favorite making just 10 starts in his 17 league appearances while managing just four goals and two assists in the process. This has, as a result, seen him fall behind Ousmane Dembele as Valverde's preferred choice to partner Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi in the attack for the Blaugrana.

Recent reports suggested that Barcelona is open to offload Coutinho despite his 142 million-pound acquisition from Liverpool almost a year ago. This will, in turn, generate enough funds and make room for the potential return of Neymar Jr. from Paris Saint-Germain.

A host of European heavyweights including Manchester United have been linked with a move for Coutinho but U.K tabloid Sunday Express now claims that Chelsea is the front-runner in the race for the ex-Liverpool star's signature.

The Blues are rumored to be preparing for life after Eden Hazard, with the Belgian purportedly waiting for his contract to run down in order to complete his dream move to Real Madrid. As a result, the Stamford Bridge outfit has already swooped in for Borussia Dortmund starlet Christian Pulisic and is also awaiting the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain to boost its attack.

Coutinho's signing will undoubtedly send a statement of intent across although the Blues will be required to pay nothing less than 100 million pounds for his service.